The cart was piled high; most of his worldly belongings packed into four oversized suitcases. He steered it unsteadily towards the automatic doors that led to the arrivals area, both anxious and happy at the same time. As the exit opened, he felt a warm gust of air rush over his body. The sun had yet to warm the chill of the Chicago spring so this was a firm reminder that he was back in Southern California.

Before him was a sea of faces: men, women, children on their parent's shoulders; disinterested limo drivers holding typed paper signs. His eyes darted across the crowd until he settled on the familiar face he was looking for. Instantly, he broke into a wide grin as he spotted Schmidt, standing across the arrivals hall. Breaking into a quick pace, he pushed the cart up to the edge to the barrier where he stood and wrapped his arms around his friend in a bear hug.

"Schmidty!" he exclaimed as he patted his friend on his back, before pulling back, "Man, it's been too, too long."

"Three years Nick, a lot happens in three years!" Schmidt laughed. At that moment, as if on cue, a heavily pregnant Elizabeth appeared through the crowd clutching three bottles of water.

"Elizabeth, wow, you look… you're really, er…" Nick faltered, unsure how to finish.

"Glowing? Pregnant? Fat?" Elizabeth burst into laughter as she handed a bottle each to Schmidt and Nick.

"Thanks," Nick muttered, "What I mean to say was, you look great."

"Aw, thanks Nick, but I know your lying," she replied, grabbing his face and planting a large, damp kiss on his cheek. Schmidt moved around the barrier and took hold of Nick's cart and pushing it towards the exit.

"So, how was your flight?" he asked.

"Terrible. They wanted twelve dollars for a cheese sandwich – can you believe it?" Nick said in disgust.

"Ah, same old, tight fisted Nick…" Schmidt began as they stepped outside into the warm, midday sun.

"I was never tight fisted. To be tight fisted you need money and I had none when I lived in LA," he protested.

"But you do now Mr. Hotshot," chipped in Elizabeth, pulling up beside Nick as they crossed the road to the parking lot.

"I'm not exactly a millionaire," he replied, "But I'm doing okay."

"It must be better than okay if they've asked you to set up a new office here," Schmidt pointed out. Nick went silent, squirming a little. He didn't feel confident celebrating his successes – he was always waiting to be caught out, for something to go wrong. Like it always did.

Sensing his change in mood, Elizabeth gave Schmidt as look as they reached the car and he popped the trunk. "Hey pal, since you haven't ate, how about some lunch before we head back to the apartment?"

"That would be great," Nick smiled, grateful for the change of subject.

The Pacific Grill was busy and bustling, as to be expected on a beautiful Saturday afternoon. The tables of the restaurant spilled out on to the street and the eclectic selection of diners ate and drank under the shade of wide, blue umbrellas. Inside, large ceiling fans cooled the dining room as waiters dressed in traditional black and white brought out large silver trays filled with food and drink.

They were seated at a table near the entrance. Quickly the server took their order for cool drinks and as they perused the menu, they started to catch up. The trio hadn't seen each other since that day in November, three winters ago, when Nick had packed up his belongings, said his goodbyes and moved back to Chicago.

Schmidt had known that it was coming for weeks but it hadn't eased the pain of the day. After over ten years of living together it was like a small kind of bereavement. But he understood. Ever since Nick and Jessica had broken up, the loft had become a strange no man's land for the both of them. Nick had been the one to break the deadlock; he said his ma needed him in Chicago, she was getting older and was lonely in the big house by herself. They all knew the real reason but no one, not even Winston, tried to make him stay. It was for the best.

Their drinks arrived quickly and they all ordered from the menu, Nick excusing himself soon afterwards. Heading to the restroom, he felt positive. He'd been worried about how he would take it, being back after all this time. It had surprised him how easy and normal it felt, how he had slipped into conversation with Schmidt and Elizabeth as though no time had passed at all. Washing his hands, he smiled at himself in the mirror. This was going to be okay, he could do this.

Pressing the heavy washroom door open, he headed back into the crowded restaurant. Striding back towards the table, he heard a voice calling his name, "Nick! Nick!" Pausing, he looked around the tables, straining to see a familiar face. Then he saw the waving hand of a well-dressed man on the other side of the restaurant, he squinted.

"Steve?" he asked quizzically, moving in the man's direction.

"Nick, man, it's been forever," Steve responded, standing up and grabbing Nick's hand in both of his and pumping it up and down enthusiastically.

"Steve, wow. What you doing here? I thought you lived in New York, didn't you move there after law school?" he asked as Steve gestured for him to sit.

"Yeah, well, I moved back here a couple of years ago, Couldn't take the old NY winters!" Nick relaxed and smiled.

"I just moved back myself, today actually," Nick admitted, "I'm having lunch with friends," he turned and gestured at the table where Elizabeth and Schmidt were gazing lovingly into each other's eyes.

"Really? Well welcome back. I'm just waiting for my fiancée," Steve added, looking at his watch, "Actually she is late – she's never late."

"Women, huh?" Nick chuckled.

"So you, uh, seeing anyone?" Steve asked.

"No, no," Nick shook his head, his memory straining back to painful times, "Not for a long time." He paused for a moment.

"Well, now we are back in the same city, we need to talk properly. And, I'm getting married in two months, you gotta come."

"Congratulations! Sure, thanks," Nick agreed, reaching for his wallet, "Hey, here's my card, just give me a call and we'll set up something." Accepting the small blue and white card, Steve raised his eyebrows.

"Event manager? That's a little different than law," he asked, surprised.

"Yeah, it's a weird story actually-"

He was cut off as Steve suddenly stood up and his face broke into a large smile. "Babe, you're late," he moved forward, stepping behind Nick who turned around to see him embracing a small girl in a red coat, tumbling chocolate waves hanging over her shoulders. She looked a little like…

As they stepped apart her face emerged from behind the curtain of hair, she swung her head and tossed the dark curls over her shoulder as she shrugged off her coat. Steve whispered something in her ear and he saw that familiar smile, those often explored lips. His heart began to race as her face slowly turned towards him and their eyes met. Those hypnotic, pacific blue eyes he would know anywhere. All of a sudden he felt his stomach drop and his mind flood with emotion. It was her. Jess. Jessica Day. The love of his life.

Skipping along the sidewalk, she chastised herself; she was never late! Soaking up the feeling of the warm sunshine on her face, she dodged the obstacles of people and vendors as she approached the packed Pacific Grill.

Quickly, she ran inside, breathless. She saw Steve immediately at this usual table and was surprised to see he wasn't alone. Rushing over she pulled him into a warm hug, apologising for her tardiness as he held her close and he told her he had a friend for her to meet. Eagerly, she tugged off her coat. She didn't often meet old friends of Steve's, most of them lived in New York or his hometown in Massachussets.

As she turned to meet his friend, she felt a surge of familiarity grow inside her. From the back he looked a little, like, well… Okay, so he was a little broader and his hair a little neater but… Slowly, he twisted around, his hand held out ready to greet her. She lifted her own arm, braced her face in a smile as finally their eyes met. Her mouth dropped; her eyes widened. It was him. Nick Miller. The guy she never got over. The man who broke her heart.

Authors note: Sorry this took so long to get too - so many other things to do at the moment! I have a busy summer ahead and I go on holiday in a few days but this story is a little pet project of mine so I will try and update as often as I can (along with the others!).

As always, thank you for your support, much appreciated. Jx